Man sentenced to just over 6 years for incest

Frandi Thomas will spend just over six years at Her Majesty’s Prison for an incestuous relationship he had with a youngster to whom he is closely related.

Justice Nicola Byer today sentenced the East End man who is just over 40 years old while she described the incestuous relationship as a heinous crime.

The court heard that the offences started some time in 2010.

“What is indeed clear to this court is that the offence for which Thomas stands now convicted is a serious one.

Additionally, it is one which this court has no hesitation in calling heinous,” Justice Byer said.

Following a trial that lasted one week, a nine-member jury last month found the British Virgin Islands native guilty of all four counts of incest.

A breakdown of the sentence handed down today shows that the offender will serve six-and-a-half years at Her Majesty’s Prison for counts one, two, and four of the offence. The judge also slapped him with three years imprisonment for the third count of incest.

Justice Byer however ordered that the sentences should run concurrently (at the same time). “I accept the submission made on behalf of the Crown that this is not an instance that the sentences should run consecutively (one after the other),” the judge said.

Victim left in his care

Justice Byer, while citing a High Court judge who presided over a similar case, told the court: “The virtual complainant was entrusted into the defendant’s care, and he owed her a responsibility to care and protect her.”

“Instead, as found by the jury…he embarked upon a course of conduct against the complainant,” the judge lamented.

Justice Byer also borrowed words from another judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Courts, saying: “The effect [on the complainant] would have been ‘huge’, and ‘likely ruining her life and mental well-being’. When we read the victim impact statement, it is clear that what transpired affected the virtual complainant.”

Thomas was represented by lawyers Valerie Stephens-Gordon and Stacy Abel.

The Crown was represented by Director of Public Prosecutions Kim Hollis, and Senior Crown Counsel O’Neil Simpson.